Friday, October 12, 2007

GABF Happening Now

Although I am somewhat critical of the Great American Beer Festival, it's the beeg event on the national calendar. It started last night and runs through tomorrow and many eyes are focused on the results of the tastings. I will report out those in due time, but here's some info in case you want a virtual experience:

I think the judges preference a rigid adherence to arbitrary style guidelines that make it easier for workmanlike beers to win awards. Creative breweries who push the envelope have no place at the GABF.

The reason I respect it, though, is because the way the judging happens, the quality of the judges, and the enormous participation by breweries makes this the definitive contest.